I can't believe I did it!

Sorry, misread the question... Going to potluck/parties and staying within your program... I usually pass by most of the starchey stuff, except if it is realllly good potato salad. I might pass by the meat in favor of having a dessert. I can have just a much fun sampling the veg/casserols (staying away from noodles..ie high starches) without alot of meat ( I eat meat at home). "Trading off for things I want" (can't have this..can have this)seems to work for me. I have pot luck dinners about twice a month, and yes, I do have problems with these "three day weekends".

Skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Crystle Lite in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Bringing food for parties..... I usually bring fruit salad, different times using cool whip lite, lite cottage cheese, no-sugar jello, or just fruit of all kinds (spiced peaches is different!). They never know the difference in light/reg. Nuts are good and easy, or sliced cheese/baked crackers.

Skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, Crystle Lite in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

I always bring a big platter of my favorite low-calorie vegetables to a potluck. You can bring the veggies AND a dessert. Nobody's going to attack you for bringing more food.

Then, my potluck strategy is:

(1) I get one reasonably-sized plateful of food (no cheating with food hanging over the side of the plate) (2) Half the plate must be my own veggies (3) The other half can be whatever I want (4) NO SECONDS.

Besides that, I allow myself dessert, but only one "two thumbs sized" portion.

Thanks for all of the kind words. I can't believe I got so many replies. Today I have a problem that is worrying me. I have to go to a potluck. I thought about eating before, but I think that would seem rude. I have beenassigned to bring a dessert, so I can't bring something healthy to eat. How do I go to a potluck without totally blowing my diet?

The maintenance success trick is to lose anything you gain right away. From time to time you will go up a pound or two (or even three). Don't throw in the towel. It happens to all of us. Those of us who have success buckle down and take it right back off, right away. I've taken off a couple of pounds more times than you can imagine, but I have managed to maintain the loss I had, so far. I can never again eat mindlessly. I have to be aware of what the food I'm eating is doing to my body. I love being slim,so I keep my weight in mind every day. I no longer bash myself if I gain, though, because I know how to get it right back off.

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them -- every day begin the task anew." Saint Francis de Sales

hun and to the team. Just keep a steady eye on your intake from now on- remember you may need to adjust your calorie quota on here and keep up your fitness level. But hey! the hard part is over. Well done you!! Luv Caz

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.......

The time you spend in the entire process of readying for your journey is worth its weight in gold

Congratulations! Yep, you did it! And you can keep it off. Just don't get discouraged if you gain a couple of those pounds back, it happens from time to time, but you will do just fine! Tinker around with your food and fitness and you will find where you need to be to maintain! Good going!

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